IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

A Day in the Mouth: Timo Kaukolampi

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:05:04 -0700

Artist/musician Sami Sänpäkkilä (Fonal Records, Es, etc.) interviews Timo Kaukolampi (Op:1 Bastards, K-X-P, Larry and the Lefthanded, etc.) for his "A Day in the Mouth" series in which he visits a person/organization/place and has "a little chat with the people involved and see what they're up to." Direct link: http://vimeo.com/15907535

New Es reviewed at Dusted

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:20:48 -0700

Dusted reviews the new Es album "Kesämaan lapset": http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/5205

The Silent Ballet reviews 'Kesämaan lapset'

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:44:31 -0700

The Silent Ballet reviews Finnish artist Es and his album "Kesämaan lapset": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/2584/Default.aspx

New albums from Es and Kiila now streaming

Thu, 21 May 2009 14:27:50 -0700

Fonal Records reports that new albums from both Es and Kiila are currently streaming at myspace.

Fonal Records summer releases now up for preorder

Mon, 11 May 2009 11:22:23 -0700

New releases available for preorder from Finland's Fonal Records:

Kiila - Tuota tuota CD/LP
Es - Kesämaan lapset CD/LP
Tomutonttu - s/t CD/LP (reissue)

Samples and more details are available at Fonal's website: http://www.fonal.com/

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:54:48 -0700

Fonal Records acts Islaja, Kemialliset Ystävät, Es and Tomutonttu will be touring the UK together in late September as part of the "Approximately Infinite Universe" tour being put on by No-Fi and [No.Signal]. Read more: http://no-signal.net/aiu/

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:35:46 -0700

The Village Voice on the new wave of Scandinavian ethereal weirdness, ie Ólafur Arnalds, Es, Ville Leinonen, and Paavoharju: http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-07-29/music/five-founts-of-ethereal-weirdness-lafur-arnalds-es-ville-leinonen-and-paavoharju/

Top 10s for 2006: Staff picks

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Not everyone was able to get their lists in on time, but I think you'll find more than enough titles here well-worth investigating, whatever your tastes may be. Enjoy!

Jonas Appelqvist:

01. The Fine Arts Showcase – Radiola (Adrian Recordings)
When Christian released a kinda mediocre record, Gustav stepped up, delivered and restored the honour of the Kjellvander brothers.

02. C.Aarmé – Vita (Burning Heart)
Music for the gut, not the brain. Göteborg's finest punks just recently split up, it's a pity.

03. Hets – s/t (V2/Etikett: Hets)
I was a bit hesitative when I heard that members from Laakso, Fireside and Moneybrother formed a band. They proved me wrong.

04. Raised Fist – The sound of the republic (Burning Heart Records)
This long awaited full-length proved to be exactly what I hoped for. Uncompromising hardcore, this time with hooks!

05. Insurgent Kid – Paranoia (Wasted Sounds)
Just recently released and it went straight into this list. The punkrock on this disc is, in fact, all I ever need.

06. Khoma – The second wave (Roadrunner)
I always knew something good would come out of Plastic Pride.

07. Aerial – Black rain from the nombing (Nomethod)
Epic and almost instrumental post-rock from Sandviken that moved me big time.

08. Tar... Feathers – Make way for the ocean floor to fall to the surface (Release the Bats!)
Self-willed indiepop that sounds like Modest Mouse mixed with Xiu Xiu at times.

09. Darkthrone – The cult is alive (Peaceville)
Pioneers that released their most interesting record since "Total Death". Black-metal with one hell of a punkrockattitude!

10. Cult of Luna – Somewhere along the highway (Earache)
One of the records I've listened to the most in 2006 and it's still intriguing.

Top 3 non-scandinavian records of 2006:
Converge – No heroes (Epitaph)
Electric President – s/t (Morr Music)
Cursive – Happy hollow (Saddle Creek)

Nancy Baym:

01. Hell On Wheels - The odd church (Hybris/PlayRec)
It's catchy, it's quirky, it's consistently strong. And it's interesting too.

02. Skywriter - Where both worlds never meet (Iceberg Records)
The slow ones drag a bit, but the fast songs are a sublime mix of sexy, cool, driving and restrained.

03. Consequences - s/t (BOW/Groover Recordings)
Puts the "infection" in infectious pop. I can't stop listening to it and really don't want to either.

04. Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's block (V2/Wichita)
Not as good as last year's "Falling out", but an okay Peter Bjorn and John record is still better than most.

05. Pelle Carlberg - Everything. Now! (Labrador)
He's thoughtful, he's sensitive, he's twee, but most of all he's the perfect mix of soothing and beautiful. Frazzled nerves be gone!

06. The Phonies - Gran tourettes (Money Laundry Records)
Inconsistent record from Finland's Phonies, but it's best songs are exhuberant enough to carry the rest.

07. Billie the Vision & the Dancers - The world according to Pablo (self-released)
While I'm From Barcelona gets all the buzz, I prefer this. It's kind of mellow, a little dark, sort of conceptual if you bother to figure it out, but most of all, it just sounds good.

08. David & the Citizens - Stop the tape! Stop the tape! (Bad Taste)
David Fridlund's a melodic genius and the music may be better than ever, but Fridlund's angst runs too close to whining too much of the time.

09. Starflower - Moment in the sun (Music Is My Girlfriend)
Tranquil and poppy, youthful and tuneful, it's a gentle little debut from a band I hope will diversify its sound in releases to come.

10. The Charade - Real Life Drama (Skipping Stones)
Half of this is too sweet for me, but the rest is charming as all get out, and "September" easily wins the award for catchiest sugar pop song of the year.

Honorable Mentions:

Sivert Høyem and the Volunteers - Exiles (Hektor Grammofon)
It's not out yet and I've only heard 2 songs, but given his track record with Madrugada and his last solo record, it's guaranteed a spot in my top 10 when I do get to hear the rest.

Tiger Lou - The loyal (Startracks)
It came out in 2005 but now I've finally heard this record. It's got such a cool consistent vibe, such a unique sound, and I'm under it's spell completely.

Matt Giordano:

01. Peter Bjorn and John - Writers block (V2/Wichita)
After last years excellent "Falling out" I expected a great album, but this release just floored me.

02. Loney, Dear - Sologne (Dear John)
Yes, this is technically a re-release, and yes, it's that good.

03. The Fine Arts Showcase - Radiola (Adrian)
This is the new album I listened to most this year, and a it was quite a leap artistically for Mr. Kjellvander.

04. Hell On Wheels - The odd church (Hybris)
This one sat in my room for about a month until one day I brought it in the car with me, and to say the least, I was impressed.

05. Vapnet - Jag vet hur man väntar (Hybris)
"Thoméegränd" instantly hit me with pure pop genuis, and this album is so textured and deep, it has yet to be fully realised.

06. Firefox AK - Madame, madame! (Razzia)
It took me a while, but I have finally realised how genius this album is.

07. Nicolai Dunger - Sjunger Edith Södergran (EMI)
I believe this is Mr. Dunger's most cohesive album to date, and perhaps his most intimate.

08. Sibiria - Inom familjen (Hybris)
Martin A and Martin H put out two stellar albums in one year. Gorgeous.

09. The Knife - Silent shout (Rabid)
This album is both bleak and enchanting.

10. David & The Citizens - Stop the tape! Stop the tape! (Bad Taste)
This album is so solid, and it should silence all of the naysayers.

Other:

Best 2005 release of 2006:
El Perro Del Mar - El Perro Del Mar (Memphis Industries/The Control Group)
Gorgeous, that is the only way to describe the songwriting of Sarah Assbring, and it's good to see the rest of the world catching on.

Top three non-Scandinavian releases:

Tom Waits - Orphans (Anti)
This is absolutely essential.

Nobody & Mystic Chords Of Memory - Tree colored see (Mush)
Another post-Beachwood Sparks work of excellence, now I'm only wishing for Beachwood Sparks to reunite.

My Morning Jacket - Okonokos (RCA)
America's best current live band, and this is their document.

Top ten songs of 2006*
01. Montt Mardié - "My girlfriend is in the Grand Prix finals" from "Science" (Hybris)
02. Peter Bjorn and John - "Paris 2004" from "Writers block" (V2)
03. Kristofer Åström - "So much for staying alive" from "Black Valley" (Startracks)
04. Loney, Dear - "The city, the airport" from "Sologne" (Dear John)
05. Tom Waits - "Bottom of the world" from "Orphans" (Anti)
06. Vapnet - "Thoméegränd" from "Jag vet hur man väntar" (Hybris)
07. The Velvet Teen - "Gyzmkid" from "Cum laude" (Slowdance)
08. Nicolai Dunger - "Lyckokatt" from "Sjunger Edith Södergran" (Dolores)
09. Loose Fur - "The ruling class" from "Born again in the USA" (Drag City)
10. Islands - "Don't call me Whitney, Bobby" from "Return to the sea" (Equator)

*These songs, as well as 31 others appear on my "Best of 2006" mix, which I have made 20 copies of as a double-disc set to give away to the readers of It's A Trap! Here's the deal, the first twenty people to email me at matthew dot giordano at macys dot com with their name and postal address will receive a copy (as well as tracklisting) in the mail. Enjoy.

Kevin Renick, in alphabetical order:

01. Ampop - My delusions (Dennis Records)
Balancing the epic and the emotive is an increasingly dicey proposition as more and more groups on both sides of the Atlantic sacrifice one or the other in the process. Iceland's Ampop gets the blend just right with these 11 surgingly powerful, yet fragile tunes. .

02. El Perro Del Mar - s/t (Memphis Industries)
Possibly the most bubbly, infectious, melodically rich, beautifully sung sad album ever made.

03. Sofia Hardig - The need to destroy (Filthy Records)
An adventurous electronica foray in which Sofia makes an art out of distorted vocals that are nonetheless emotionally wrenching. Dark, machine-laden grooves that grip the soul.

04. The Knife - Silent shout (Brille Records)
By any standard, one of the year's boldest and most significant records, especially for a spooked, tech-savvy, mask-wearin', brother-sister dance-tronica act.

05. Lampshade - Let's away (Glitterhouse)
The sophomore release by this fabulous Swedish/Danish group is just as good as the debut; RebekkaMaria and company fuse primal rock and Scandi sensuality together in a thoroughly compelling manner.

06. Mew - And the glass-handed kites (Sony BMG Music)
A continuously flowing, continuously melodic and dazzling production that got many satisfying spins on my car stereo in 2006.

07. Monty's Loco - Man overboard (NONS)
Take a female vocalist who's like a tougher Emiliana Torrini, add equal parts acoustic/electronic instrumentation, throw in a few dollops of inspired weirdness and mix/produce well. Result: a grabber of an album that tickles the sonic taste buds..

08. Britta Persson - Top quality bones and a little terrorist (Amigo)
I like my Scandinavian music to be a little tart. Britta's debut CD is positively lemony from start to finish, a real standout in a year filled with great records by Scandi girls.

09. Patrik Skantze and the Free Souls Society - Fiction at first view (Mimo Sound)
A master class in inspired prog songcraft, superb guitar playing and the art of channeling diverse influences into your own lovingly prepared recipe.

10. Sonores - Elefanten (Structures Sonores)
As a long-time fan of both atmospheric ambient and mournful female vocals, this texturally absorbing disc had me at "eftermiddag".

Best EP: Detektivbyrån - Hemvägen (Danarkia)
Best CD to reevaluate your life to: Es - Sateenkkarisuudelma (K-RAA-K)
Best reasons to have faith that the spirit of weirdness lives on in Scandiland: The Bear Quartet, Sir Eric Beyond, and Tar...Feathers

Simon Tagestam:

01. Vapnet – Jag vet hur man väntar (album / Hybris)
Vapnet lived up to all my expectations and delivered a fantastic album

02. Moneybrother – De vet ingenting om oss (single / Hacka Skivindustri)
This song came totally unexpected and instantly floored me.

03. Lo-Fi-Fnk – Boylife (album / La Vida Loca)
Very exciting album from Sweden’s new dance kings, now TTA gone all new age.

04. Mattias Alkberg BD - Ditt hjärta är en stjärna (album / A West Side Fabrication)
Third and best album from this Bear Quartet member.

05. Taxi Taxi – Old big trees (song on myspace)
Killer song. Got high hopes for these young twins.

06. I'm From Barcelona - Let me introduce my friends (album / Dolores)
Hate them live, but still love their music.

07. Juni Järvi - Wherever thou art (album / Everlasting)
The surprise hit of the year, a collection of some magnificent songs.

08. [ingenting] - Mycket väsen för ingenting (album / Labrador)
An album that deserved much more attention and praise than it got.

09. Juvelen – Watch your step (song on myspace)
Sounds exactly like Prince when he was at his best. Pretty damn good that is!

10. Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-Garde - s/t (album / Flora & Fauna)
Weirdest and most wonderful gig at Emmaboda this year where 'Sir Eric', even though he's Swedish, only talked in English in-between songs. He also released a fine record.

Three amazing songs from albums that I wasn't too keen on:
Fattaru – 100 spänn
Hello Saferide – The quiz
Peter Bjorn and John – Young folks

---------------------------

Jonas Appelqvist is in the works of completing the first fullengthrecord with Blinders On, indierock based in Malmö. The band is, as I write this, finished with the mixing and the mastering of the album entitled "Obsolete music", so we should expect a release in January. The 17th, to be precise. More on that after New Year's Eve.

Nancy Baym can be found happily blogging away at Online Fandom and digging music at Last.fm.

Matt Giordano wishes everyone safe, yet wine-filled holidays and New Year's celebrations, and hopes those who'll be getting his "Best of 2006 mix" enjoy them. He also hopes Arsenal can pick up the pace in the premier league and that Scandinavian bands continue to release the world's best music. Here are the new releases he's looking forward to in 2007: two Laakso records, Kristofer Åström, Shout Out Louds, Via Audio, Christian Kjellvander, Spoon, Tiger Lou (I can hope), My Morning Jacket (I can hope), Nick Cave (I think it's about time for another), Moonbabies, Nicolai Dunger, and all Hyrbis releases.

Kevin Renick is exhausted from trying to pare down the list of favorites from a really great year in music.

Simon Tagestam is a regular contributor to IAT and he doesn't really have any plans for 2007, except some vague ideas concerning a Nintendo Wii, his mother's 60th birthday, more tattoos, and badminton.

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The Es/Sami Sänpäkkilä "Early filmworks 1996 to 2006" DVD has been confirmed for a September 6 release. It will feature eight short films and six music videos. Read the press release for more: http://www.escycle.com/press_es_DVD_eng.html

Es Sateenkarisuudelma K-RAA-K

Sun, 18 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Es is a Finnish project springing from the mind of Sami Sanpakkila; this is his fourth outing under the Es banner. Wow, is this guy a walking argument for the primal mysteries that must pervade the wilds of Finland. The music here is so mesmerizing, so evocative and formula-defying, it has the power to literally change your body chemistry. I'll dispense with mentioning song titles since they're just too long, but here are the highlights: Track 1 begins disarmingly with Finnish vocals, providing a folksy little overture that lulls you into false expectations. #2 is an unhurried, stretched-out piece hovering between classical and ambient, with bits of keyboard and violin poking through the mix in a manner that seems random (but probably isn't). #3 is a piece of hypnotic psych-drone on which the introductory keyboards gradually dissolve into a transfixing piece that's very reminiscent of Pink Floyd's "Shine on you crazy diamond," complete with lonesome sax. #4 showcases childlike piano, a little nylon-string guitar plucking and sounds of lapping water for a potently ambient effect. #6 is classic Finnish psych-folk with wordless female vocals and vintage keyboards. And #7 is pretty much straight/no chaser ambient drone. Lordy, during the many times I played this disc while driving, I wasn't sure I could keep living my normal life. I just wanted to hit the road and find some societal dropouts to go hang with and contemplate woods and waterfalls. No quick summary can do this unique recording justice; let's just say that if you're into freaky, droning, boundary-smashing weirdness that remains thoroughly musical and focused, this disc is especially gripping and unforgettable.

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Fonal Records will be sending Es, Islaja and Kiila on tour across Europe together in March/April. Tenative dates here: http://www.fonal.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29

Podcast: It's been a long time... too long

Sun, 11 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

DATE ADDED : 12.11.05
LENGTH : 31:24 min
DOWNLOAD : itsatrap_podcast_12112005.mp3 (22.1mb)
RSS : [click here]

Tracklist:
01. Ane Brun - Rubber and soul (ft. Teitur)
02. Anja Garbarek - Sleep
03. Es - Sateenkaarisuudelma i
04. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - White night (Martin Vogel remix)
05. My Enemy - My time coming (Claudia's shoegazer remix)
06. Brighter Death Now - Oh baby
07. Alice in Videoland - Ladykiller
08. Menfolk - Simplicity of not knowing
09. Boys of Scandinavia - Why do you love me
10. I Love You Baby! - Dolls start small
11. José González - Send someone away (live)

Mon, 05 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Stylus declares the latest from Finland's Es to their album of the week: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3604

Wed, 12 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

The Subcurrent Festival/Fonal Records showcase night in Glasgow has now been rescheduled to April 21-23. The line-up is still the same and includes Es, Kiila and Kemialliset Ystävät.

Fri, 19 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

More confirmed dates for Es on tour in the US:

12/03 - The Bookmill, Montague, MA
12/04 - Strange Maine (record store), Portland, ME
12/06 - AS220, Providence, RI w/Dave Unger, Sinking Body, Kites
12/09 - Midway Cafe, Boston, MA w/Vampire Can't, Crystal Cock Over Canada, Donna Parker + Vic Rawlings
12/11 - Lucky Cat Cafe, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY w/Izititiz, Ghq
12/12 - tba, Toronto (CAN)

As mentioned before, Es is the musical project of Fonal Records founder Sami Sänpäkkilä. On these dates he will be backed by Miriam Goldberg and Jeffrey Alexander of Black Forest / Black Sea who also join him on the new album "Sateenkaarisuudelma", due out in January on (K-RAA-K)3 records. Also accompanying them on tour will be visual artist Shary Boyle who will be showing live visuals on an overhead projector.

Tue, 02 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Finland's Es is coming over to North America for a few shows:

12/03 - The Bookmill, Montague, MA
12/06 - AS220, Providence, RI
12/11 - WMFU, NJ
12/11 - Lucky Cat Cafe, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

Es is the musical project of Fonal Records label-head Sami Sänpäkkilä who will be backed by Miriam Goldberg and Jeffrey Alexander of Black Forest/Black Sea for these shows. More dates soon?

Wed, 27 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Es, Kiila and Kemialliset Ystävät from Finnish avant label Fonal Records will be doing a special showcase gig at the Subcurrent festival in Glasgow on February 5 next year.

Mon, 02 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The latest Aquarius Records new release list includes Witchcraft, Es, Islaja, Meshuggah, Stilluppsteypa and tons more: http://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html

Tue, 13 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Dusted reviews Es - "Kaikkeduden kanneus ja käsittämättömyys": http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/1525

Fri, 26 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

After numerous delays, Finland's Fonal Records has finally gotten their new CDs in stock and ready for ordering. Those releases are Kiila - "Silmät Sulkaset" and "Contemporaries" VHS, Teatteri Moderni Kanuuna - "Oopperse Le Feti Le Grande Anaale" and Es - "Kaikkeuden kauneus ja käsittämättömyys". Prices have been lowered, too. More info: http://www.fonal.com/

Thu, 11 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Some of the performers appearing at the Elektroniklubi portion of the Tampere Biennale on March 31 to April 4 in Tampere, Finland: Suomen Teatteriorkesteri, Pink Twins, The Charm of Sound, Pan Sonic, Jori Hulkkonen, Es and tons more. Details: http://www.tampere.fi/festival/music/biennale04/bieeng.htm

Mon, 06 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Upcoming release schedule for Finland's Fonal Records:

12/2003 - Oopperse Le Feti Le Grande Anaale (Rättö, Salmi, Sippola, Reunamäki)
12/2003 - Kiila - "Heartcore" VHS, details: www.fonal.com/kiilahcvideo.html
12/2003 - Es - "Kaikkeuden Käsuttämättömyys Ja Kauneus" CD
early 2004 - Kiila CD
early 2004 - Kemialliset Ystävät - "Lumottu Karkkipurkki" (CD rerelease)